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TESOL

McDaniel’s Master's program for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) prepares you to make a lifelong impact by helping others thrive in a new language.

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Degree Types
Master's
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Program Cost
$552 per credit
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Total credits
33
Document
Format
Online (Hybrid available for School Partnership cohorts)

About the Program

McDaniel’s TESOL program* places a strong emphasis on the development of:

  • Professionalism in language education
  • Individual language rights
  • Collaboration in a global community
  • The interaction of research and reflective practice for educational improvement
  • Respect for diversity and multiculturalism
  • The promotion of professional development and exchange for educators

*Note: Certified teachers hoping to obtain TESOL certification  may elect to take the TESOL Praxis II preparation sequence.

Why McDaniel for TESOL

We’ve designed our program to make sure it meets the needs of today’s educators.

  • Convenience. The program can be completed 100% online. Some courses are offered in-person. Choose which method works best for you.
  • Personal Attention. We keep our classes small, so you get the personalized guidance you need.
  • Real-world Experience. Many of our faculty work in the field and bring direct knowledge of best practices to the program.

What You Need to Know About the M.S. in TESOL

Admissions Requirements

Candidates must submit:

  • Application for graduate study
  • Official transcripts conferring bachelor’s degree (minimum of 3.00 GPA*) from an accredited institution; graduate transcripts if applicable.
  • Copy of a Teaching Certificate - Maryland State Department of Education Standard Professional Certificate (SPC I or SPC II). Students with Professional Eligibility Certification or evidence of completion of teacher preparation program and passing Praxis II scores can be accepted in lieu of teacher certification.  Teachers who hold a license or certification from states outside of Maryland must also provide a copy of their teaching certificate.  Students holding Provisional or Conditional teacher certification would not be eligible for this program and should contact the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies to discuss intial teacher certification options.

 

*Students who have a 2.75 to 2.99 GPA may be admitted provisionally and will be required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first 9-12 credit hours. Students with less than a 2.75 GPA will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis for provisional admission but may be required to provide additional documentation and/or participate in an interview. Admission may also come with additional conditions

Additional Requirements

If a student does not already have the appropriate requisite courses below, they would need to be taken at the undergraduate or graduate level.

  • Three credits in cross-cultural studies.
  • Six credits in a modern foreign language.

If a student does not currently have a teaching certificate, the appropriate requisite courses below may need to be taken at the undergraduate or graduate level.

  • Three credits in foundations of education.
  • Six credits in Reading Methods at the Secondary Level.

Evidence of proficiency in Science and Mathematics related to K-12 curriculum.

Degree Requirements

  • Successful completion of the required 33 credits
  • Minimum 3.00 GPA
  • Successful completion of all required coursework

Standards and Certification

McDaniel’s TESOL program:

  • Meets Maryland certification requirements
  • Is aligned with the professional standards established by Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

McDaniel College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The Master of Science in TESOL program has been awarded initial accreditation status by AAQEP through June 30, 2029. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.

Official seal of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)

Advancing Your Career

Graduates of the TESOL program have become:

  • ESOL teachers
  • Foreign language teachers
  • English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers
  • Government and corporate positions requiring the teaching of or, interaction with, speakers of other languages

Q&A with Derek Lewis (Previous Program Coordinator)

What is the goal of the TESOL program?

The goal of McDaniel’s TESOL program is to prepare our graduate students to work with a diverse population of Multilingual Learners. Our coursework provides opportunities to explore language and literacy development and acquisition while developing the skills needed to serve a diverse population of Multilingual Learners across educational settings.

What do you hope graduates take away from the program?

Our hope is that graduates who complete our program have the confidence and competence to work successfully in a variety of educational settings. We hope that our graduates leave with a deep understanding of the theoretical aspects of the TESOL field, enhanced tools to implement appropriate language instruction, and a personal philosophy that values and promotes the academic and personal success of each Multilingual Learner.

What sets McDaniel's program apart from other TESOL programs?

McDaniel’s TESOL program can be completed 100% online. Our program caters to currently certified teachers who are looking for new challenges and new options in their careers. While most of our students enroll to earn a master’s degree, the TESOL program also provides a course sequence specifically designed to prepare teachers to earn their TESOL certification.

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Spotlight Profile Alumni Spotlight Ling-En (Flora) Kang M.S. ’12

Flora returned to her hometown of Taichung City in Taiwan to teach English after earning her Master’s in Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). While at McDaniel, she taught Chinese and shared her love and knowledge of learning another language with undergrads both in the classroom and through Asian Community Coalition campus-wide events and dinners, which highlighted various Asian cultures. She studied Foreign Languages and Literatures at National Chung-Cheng University and completed a training program for teachers of Chinese at Ohio State University before coming to McDaniel.